Community Web site MySpace announced this week that the company had hired Hemanshu Nigam, a security investigator at Microsoft and a former prosecutor, to strengthen what many have claimed are lax protections against cyberstalkers and online predators.

The Fox Interactive Media subsidiary, criticized for failing to police the site for profiles of underage members and members that may pose a risk to its 68 million users, has tasked Nigam with enforcing site defenses and protections against predations.

"We are fortunate to have him join MySpace, help us educate the public and protect our members' safety and privacy," Chris DeWolfe, CEO of MySpace, said in a statement. "MySpace has always been committed to an industry leading role in Internet safety and will continue to partner with all stakeholders including parents, educators, law enforcement and safety groups."

While at Microsoft, Nigam helped investigate a variety of major virus incidents, including helping track down the author of Sasser and starting up a bounty program following the MSBlast epidemic. Prior to his work at Microsoft, Nigam was a trial attorney in the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, in Washington, D.C., specializing in federal cases involving child pornography, child predators, and child trafficking.